Anaheim Ducks legend and long-time captain Ryan Getzlaf will retire at the end of the season, capping a career that spanned 17 seasons and included both a Stanley Cup championship and two Olympic gold medals.
Getzlaf, 36, retires as the Ducks’ all-time leading scorer in both regular season and playoffs and has served as captain for the past 12 seasons.
“It’s been an honour to play in the NHL and spend my entire professional career with one organization,” Getzlaf said in a statement issued by the team. “None of this would have been possible without my family, who offered unwavering love and support each step of the way. Thank you to our owners, Henry and Susan Samueli, for leading an organization committed to success on the ice, but more importantly, to making a positive impact in our community and to those in need.
The Ducks selected Getzlaf in the first round of the 2003 NHL Draft and he made his NHL debut in the 2005-06 season. Over his career, Getzlaf has appeared in 1,150 games and scored 282 goals and 1,013 assists.
“We are so proud of everything Ryan has accomplished in an amazing 17 years playing for the Ducks,” said Ducks owners Henry and Susan Samueli in a release. “While we will all remember his leadership qualities on the ice, it is his community-first approach that has cemented his legacy in Orange County. In addition to spearheading the Ducks Learn to Play Program and numerous other organizational charitable initiatives, he launched his own such event with the Annual Getzlaf Shootout to benefit CureDuchenne, raising over $4.27 million to date.
“Congratulations, Ryan. You’ve been our leader, our soul and our captain, leaving an indelible mark on our franchise that Ducks fans around the world will never forget.”
